NEW YORK — Cody Bellinger remains unsigned as free agency drags toward spring training. What looked like a bidding war between New York’s two baseball franchises has turned into a waiting game. The Yankees appear content to let the clock run. Their crosstown rivals are showing cracks in their pursuit.
Jon Heyman of the New York Post delivered the latest update during a December 29 live stream. The Mets are averse to the years Bellinger wants. In between, the New York Yankees are watching the market break their way.
The Yankees remain confident they can bring him back to the Bronx.
Boras sets his asking price
Agent Scott Boras is seeking a seven-year commitment for Bellinger, according to Heyman’s reporting. That would extend the contract through the outfielder’s age-37 season. Most front offices are hesitant to embrace that structure.
“They’re currently looking for the years. Bellinger you would think could potentially get a seven-year deal, but he may have to settle for six,” Heyman said.
Boras is using recent deals as benchmarks. Pete Alonso signed a five-year, $155 million contract with the Orioles. Kyle Schwarber landed a five-year, $150 million deal with the Phillies. Both players are represented by Boras.
A six-year agreement worth around $180 million appears more realistic for Bellinger. That would average $30 million annually. Whether Boras will accept that figure remains unclear.
The Mets blink first
Heyman offered insight into where the Mets stand in their pursuit of Bellinger.
“Are [the Mets] likely to get Bellinger? Wouldn’t say that. The Yankees still seem somewhat confident that they can land Bellinger,” he said.
The issue comes down to contract length. The Athletic’s Will Sammon reported that a four-year deal would be “perfect” for the Mets. Boras is seeking at least five years, possibly seven. That gap may be too wide to bridge.
“Bellinger would be their top choice. Obviously, they haven’t named the right number of years at this point. That’s why they don’t have him,” Heyman added.
The Mets have shown reluctance to offer long-term contracts this offseason. Disagreements over years contributed to both Pete Alonso and Edwin Diaz leaving the franchise. David Stearns appears committed to a disciplined approach that prioritizes flexibility over star power.
Yankees play the patience game
YES Network insider Jack Curry reported that no team has come close to meeting Boras’ demands. Not the Yankees. Not the Mets. Not the Dodgers or Giants. The market is stuck.
General manager Brian Cashman appears comfortable with this stalemate. He knows the price is dropping with each passing week. The Yankees made re-signing Bellinger their top offseason priority after the Winter Meetings. They just refuse to overpay.
“The Yankees have made him their priority, and seem pretty confident that, unlike superstar Juan Soto, he won’t skip to Queens,” Heyman wrote in a December 25 report.
Both New York teams have been linked to outfielder Austin Hays as a backup option. The timing is not coincidental. It sends a clear message to Bellinger and Boras that alternatives exist.
What Bellinger brought to the Bronx
Bellinger reestablished his market value during his one season with the Yankees. He batted .272 with 29 home runs and 98 RBIs. His .814 OPS ranked among the best of his career. He earned 5.1 WAR according to FanGraphs.
The defense was elite. Bellinger ranked in the 93rd percentile for range and the 91st percentile for arm value. He provided seven outs above average across multiple outfield positions. His versatility allowed manager Aaron Boone to deploy him in center, left, and right field throughout the season.
There are concerns beneath the surface numbers. His average exit velocity ranked in the 24th percentile. His hard-hit rate sat in the 26th percentile. Those metrics suggest his offensive production came from finesse and timing rather than raw power.
Bellinger turns 31 in July 2026. A seven-year deal would commit a team to him through his age-37 season. History suggests decline often accelerates for players in their mid-30s.
Why the Yankees hold the cards
The dynamic has shifted. What once looked like a bidding war now favors the patient buyer. The Mets are chasing cheaper alternatives. The Dodgers remain interested but have other priorities. No team has stepped forward with the deal Boras envisioned.
Bellinger reportedly loved playing with the Yankees. His father Clay won the 2000 World Series in pinstripes. The family connection runs deep. Personal preference may ultimately matter more than a few extra million dollars.
The Yankees need Bellinger. Jasson Dominguez remains unproven. Trent Grisham exceeded expectations in 2025 but offers no guarantee of repeating that performance. A reliable left-handed bat with elite defense fits perfectly in the outfield mix alongside Aaron Judge.
But they do not need him at any price. Cashman understands that Bellinger needs the Yankees more than the Yankees need Bellinger at Boras’ current asking price. Every day of silence brings the contract closer to a number that makes sense.
The Mets’ hesitation only strengthens that position. If one major suitor drops out, Bellinger loses significant leverage. Spring training opens in six weeks. The clock is now working against the player, not the teams.
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